A note from our Pastor:

“As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;”

Colossians 1:7

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

There are verses in every book of the Bible that seem to carry less significance. As we read the scriptures, we read through these verses without spending much time contemplating them. They appear as historical facts relevant to the time, but lacking importance to our discipleship. Our study verse this week is often one of those verses.

In Colossians 1:7, the Apostle Paul introduces us to a minister of the New Testament named Epaphras. As Bible students, we know very little of Epaphras. He is mentioned only three times in the scriptures. Some scholars have tried to create more of a narrative about his life. However, most, if not all, of that is supposition. Let us consider what we do know from where he is mentioned in scripture.

Colossians 1:7 – From our present verse we know that Epaphras taught the truth of Jesus Christ to the saints in Colossae. He preached the gospel to them and encouraged them in their faith walk. The Apostle refers to him as a fellow servant and a faithful minister. These are high words of praise coming from the Apostle.

Colossians 4:12-13 – As the Apostle concludes this letter he makes reference to numerous other ministers including again Epaphras. At this point in the letter, we learn of Epaphras’s prayers for the Colossian church. We also learn that Epaphras most likely had also served as a minister to the congregations in Laodicea and Hierapolis. The towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis were in the same valley as Colossae.

Philemon 1:23 – In this personal letter to Philemon we have one last reference to Epaphras. From this reference, we learn that at one point Epaphras had been a fellow prisoner with the Apostle. Both Colossians and Philemon were written while the Apostle was imprisoned in Rome. Therefore, it can be concluded that Epaphras was imprisoned when he visited the Apostle.

In sum, in this verse, we are introduced to a minister who was faithful to Christ, was diligent in ministering to and with the Apostle, and who had a great zeal for the disciples in Colossae and surrounding communities. This understanding adds greater meaning as we consider the instructions of the Apostle going forward in this book.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah